Guide to Harvesting and Drying Flowers
Foliage Time Table
| June | July | August | September |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Ivy | Fern | Fern | Fern |
| Laurel | Forsythia | ||
| Pear | Boxwood | Boxwood | |
| Beech | Ligustrum | ||
| Magnolia | |||
| Beech | |||
| Pin Oak | |||
| Desirable Foliage | |||
| Beech (cut before cold days) | Viburnum | ||
| Pear | Eleagnus (Russian Olive) | ||
| Plum | Pyracantha | ||
| Barberry | Laurel | ||
| Boxwood* | English Ivy | ||
| Ligustrum | Periwinkle (Myrtle)* | ||
| Forsythia | Bridal Wreath | ||
| Spirea | Huckleberry | ||
| Flowering Quince | |||
| *Green food coloring should be added to the glycerin solution. | |||
Preserving Foliage
- Use 1 part glycerin to 2 parts warm water.
- Cut mature foliage, while still attractive, in lengths up to 18/20 inches. Look for interesting lines and curves; also clusters of leaves. Cut small quantity of branches at a time. Quickly remove unsightly and imperfect leaves. Mash about 1 inch of the lower stem with a hammer. Assemble in small bunches and place in small jars of the warm glycerin solution.
- Check in 24 hours. Add more glycerin solution if needed.
- For some kinds of foliage complete absorption is achieved in a few days, other foliage may take a week or more. When foliage is ready to remove from the glycerin solution the leaves will have taken on a darker color than when fresh.
- Store the leaves in a dark airy place. Dampness may cause molding. Too hot and dry storage may lead to curling of the leaves.
- If reusing glycerin add about 2/3 fresh. This is recommended with easy absorbing spirea and beech.
